InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Therapy ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

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Author's Notes: Thanks for all the wonderful support you guys, I really appreciate it. And I'm glad you like the story so much. I won't be updating again until at least Monday, just so you all know, because I'm going on vacation for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. And for those of you who read `The Realistic Happily Ever After' I won't be able to update that till I get back. Sorry, I just couldn't do it and finals all at the same time. And for those of you who wished me luck, thanks, and I think they went very well. So, until next time, enjoy!

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Title: Soul Therapy

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Six

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

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"Hello? Earth to Kagome! Are you with me?"

"What?"

Kagome blinked out of her reverie to find herself staring at a very confused looking Inuyasha, her hands still on his legs. He broke into a slight smirk. "Where were you just now?"

Kagome blushed, realizing she had been thinking about the strange encounter with Hojo three nights ago. She wasn't in love with him by any means, but at the same time Sango's comment about not having a date with anyone for several years had hit home. Frankly, she was feeling a bit desperate.

"Nowhere that concerns you."

"Keh, I know that look. It's the same look Kikyou gets when she sees some hot movie star on the television. You-were-fantasizing, weren't you?"

"No!" Kagome's face became even redder, if that were physically possible. "I was just, thinking about, um, stuff."

"Yeah, stuff having to do with some guy, I'll bet." Kagome tensed and felt herself go on the defensive.

"And so what if I was? What's it to you?"

"It doesn't matter to me until you start zoning out during our sessions. I'm paying to have this done, you know."

"Actually, in case you've forgotten, your insurance covers this." It was Inuyasha's turn to blush at the stupid mistake.

"Whatever, I will be paying for it if you don't help me recover within six weeks." Kagome gave him a steady look.

"So you will stay as long as you need? You won't give up after your insurance stops paying?"

The look of hope, joy, and something else he couldn't quite place in her eyes melted his heart, and Inuyasha had to resist the urge to smile and pull the young woman into his arms. "Whatever woman, just get me better so we can get on with life."

Kagome made a mock salute, recognizing that she had come as close as possible to hearing Inuyasha actually say something personal. "Yes sir."

She went back to rubbing down his legs, which by now after almost three weeks really felt every ounce of her touch. He liked it, and Inuyasha had to resist the urge to make any noises when she hit a spot that was sore, which caused him to blush even more because it reminded him of more personal things.

He leaned his head back against the pillow and sighed contentedly as his mind wandered off into his fantasy world.

"Now who's off in la-la land?" Kagome giggled, but Inuyasha just grunted.

"So what if I am? At least I don't deny it."

"Hey, I never said fantasizing about your wife is a bad thing."

"What do you mean by that?" And how the hell did she make the assumption he was thinking about Kikyou, Inuyasha wondered silently.

"Well, you're not the only one who can recognize looks, and by the look on your face there was an attractive woman dancing around in your head a minute ago."

Inuyasha looked away, knowing she was right, but also recognizing that it hadn't been his wife doing the dancing. It had been someone younger, with more innocence and life in her eyes.

"Kagome?"

The comfortable silence between them was ruined as they both turned to look at a very shy looking Hojo, holding a bouquet of red roses. Kagome smiled. "Hojo! What a nice surprise!"

The boy blushed, holding out the bouquet. "These, um, are for you Kagome. I saw them in the store and, well, thought of you, because, well, remember, I used to give them to you all the time in college."

Kagome smiled and the boy visibly relaxed as she wiped her hands off on a towel and accepted the flowers, making a dramatic show of smelling the buds for a moment. "They're beautiful Hojo, and of course I remember." She turned to Inuyasha. "I'll be right back, I'm just going to put these in some water."

"Whatever," Inuyasha grunted, trying not to sound as disgruntled as he felt at that moment. But the sudden presence of this other man made him uncomfortable, as well as something else he couldn't quite place, because he'd never felt it before.

Kagome returned a moment later, still all smiles, and resumed massaging Inuyasha's legs. But the guy, Hobo was his name? didn't go away. He just sat down on a nearby table with that sickening smile of his.

"So Kagome, I was, um, wondering if maybe you would want to go out tonight?"

Kagome hesitated with what she was doing, and Inuyasha could see she was thinking about it. For whatever reason, he wanted desperately for her to say no.

"I'll have to think about that Hojo, I don't know how late I'll be working tonight."

"That's okay, we could plan for the weekend if that would be easier." Kagome brightened.

"Yeah, Saturday night would be great actually. It's about time I got out of my apartment and did something."

The two beamed at each other, and Inuyasha felt like he was sinking in a pit of sugary crap. Could the scene be any cornier? And why was Kagome putting up with someone who was obviously so weak of a personality? Actually, more importantly, why did he even care?

"Excuse me, could you two do this somewhere else?" he finally coughed out, and Kagome suddenly paled, looking away, refusing to meet his eyes. Now what was that about?

"Well, I guess I'll call you then Higurashi," Hojo said kindly, "Sango gave me your new phone number."

"Yeah, sure," Kagome replied, trying to sound casual, but feeling like her innards had been slammed by a freight train. Why did she care whether or not Inuyasha knew she had a boyfriend, or a date, or anything involving a relationship? Wasn't she the one who told Sango it didn't matter what sort of attraction existed? He was married, for heaven's sake!

When she looked back down at her patient, Inuyasha was watching the retreating figure of Hojo with a scowl firmly set in place. Her stomach flipped at the idea that maybe he was jealous? But no, why would he be with a wife as beautiful and successful as Kikyou?

Sighing, she returned to his massage, and the soft sound drew Inuyasha's eyes back to the woman before him. "Who was that? An old boyfriend?"

"No, just an old friend from college." Kagome wiped her forehead before continuing. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I've known since high school that Hojo's had a crush on me, but I've just never been interested in him that way."

For whatever reason, that last statement made him feel very relieved, and Inuyasha felt his chest puff out slightly at the thought that the threat was gone.

Wait.

The threat? Now where had that come from? Kagome wasn't his to lay claim to in the first place!

"So why did you agree to go out with him?" And why the hell was he suddenly so keen in knowing all the details about Kagome's love life?

"Um," Kagome's face grew red, and Inuyasha smiled. He liked that. It always made her look so cute and innocent. "I guess because I haven't really been out on a date since high school."

"What?" He couldn't help but gape at that thought. "How is that possible? I mean, a beaut-" but he stopped himself short of calling her beautiful, and suddenly found the ceiling very interesting. Kagome didn't seem to notice.

"That just wasn't a priority for me," Kagome continued. "Sango used to say that men can tell when a woman is on the market, so to speak, for a guy, and when they're not. And she said that, while in college, I just set off warning signs to men saying stay away, I had a career to develop." Kagome giggled at the memory of the first time Sango had told her that, while drinking cappuccinos in the university lounge.

"And now? I mean, you've been out of college for at least a year, right?" Kagome shrugged.

"I've just been really focused on my job, I guess. I want to create a good reputation as a solid foundation so that when I do start thinking about a family, I will still have patients even if I don't work full time any more."

Inuyasha nodded. "That makes sense. Sounds like something Kikyou would say."

Kagome tensed slightly, and Inuyasha could have smacked himself for, yet again, comparing her to his wife. But maybe it was better that way, he decided, for her to think that his wife was always on his mind, and that the attraction between them was only because he saw her as a branch off of Kikyou. Thus, he didn't say anything to apologize.

"It is something she would say," Kagome commented, trying to sound casual, but feeling the sting of what he had said hit home. Gods above, why did she still care so damn much? "Kikyou has always been ambitious, knowing exactly what she wanted to do with her life."

"And you're not? Seems to me from the little time I've known you that this is what you always wanted to do."

Kagome smiled, liking the idea that he remembered the things she said. "I've always known that I wanted to do something that would help people."

"Help people?" Inuyasha made a face. "That's a pretty vague goal. There are a lot of ways you can help people."

"I know, but I grew up living at an old family shrine that was kept by the Higurashi's for generations. They've actually traced our roots back all the way to the feudal era of Japan."

"Really?" Inuyasha whistled. "That is quite a long time."

"Yeah, and growing up I would watch my grandfather help people. So, in the beginning, all I wanted to be was a shrine maiden for the rest of my life."

"A priestess?"

Kagome smiled fondly at the memory. She still had her priestess robes in her closet, from the day her grandfather, at a lavish ceremony, gave them to her, along with the ceremonial bow and arrows. "Yeah, well, being a shrine maiden didn't work out."

"Why not?"

"It used to be that priestesses and priests were the people's healers, but now the shrine is more just for show, to see how people used to live and worship. No one actually comes for herbs or remedies any more."

"I guess not, with doctors and what we have now for technology." Kagome nodded.

"Exactly. So once I learned I wouldn't be able to fulfill my dreams by staying at the shrine, I decided to become a physical therapist."

"Not a doctor?"

Kagome sighed, sounding slightly irritated. "Still gnawing that bone, are we?"

Inuyasha felt sorry for continually, unintentionally degrading her job, but he just couldn't understand why someone would give up the glamour of becoming a physician for physical therapy. "Just, humor me, okay?"

"Whatever," Kagome tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't want to become a doctor because, well, for the longest time that's what Kikyou wanted to do."

"So?" Kagome grit her teeth, trying not to loose her temper.

"So, I didn't want to be in her shadow any more."

"Why would you have to be in her shadow? You're not even the same age."

"Exactly!" Kagome suddenly burst out, and if he had been standing Inuyasha was sure he would have fallen over in surprise. But Kagome quickly looked away. "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"Well if you would tell me what's wrong maybe I'd understand and stop asking annoying questions."

"I don't really want to talk about it."

"Fine, but you do know that eventually you will have to tell me, because it involves my wife, and I have a right to know."

"Then go ask her."

He was surprised at the bitterness in Kagome's voice, and couldn't understand where all this hidden pain was coming from. She and Kikyou seemed to truly like each other. What was wrong? Had something happened between them?

"Kagome, please tell me what's wrong." He, without thinking, put a hand on hers, and she looked up to meet his gaze. For an instant he forgot exactly what they were talking about, only able to think about how beautiful her eyes were. But then she pulled away.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha, I couldn't tell you, it wouldn't be fair, because she is your wife."

"Did she do something to you?" Why he suddenly sounded so protective, he would never know, but the idea of Kikyou hurting Kagome in any way enraged him.

"Oh no, no she didn't do anything to me." Kagome looked away. "Not intentionally, at least."

"What?"

"Never mind." Kagome looked over toward the waiting area and when she looked back her face was a mask of happiness. "And speaking of your wife, she's waiting for you. So, we'd better finish up."

He watched her intently as Kagome hurriedly cleaned off his legs, threw the towels into the hamper, helped him into his chair, and then cleaned off the table. It was becoming clear to him that he wasn't the only one with secrets and shadows and skeletons in the closet, and the concept that someone as pure and kind as Kagome having problems like his made him feel better.

For some reason, this young woman intrigued him in a way no one ever had. Kikyou was smart, beautiful, and kind, and he had known her since junior high. She was comfortable and familiar, and he loved her for it.

But Kagome was new and exotic, like some untouchable indulgence that, for some reason, his mind and body just had to have. Her smile was like a sunbeam, her eyes like that of a doe, deep and mysterious and her voice sounded to him like birdsong on a summer's day. He could talk to her, and know that she wouldn't laugh or put him down for anything he said. She was, in a nutshell, truly unique, and she was the first woman to make Inuyasha Takahashi wonder about the wisdom of marrying so young.

"All done, I'll see you on Monday!" Kagome exclaimed in an overly happy voice. That wasn't like her.

"You're not going to come out and talk to Kikyou?" What he meant to say was, you're not going to walk with me to the door? But somehow felt that was just a little inappropriate.

That shadow from a few moments ago passed over her face, but it was instantly gone, and Kagome shook her head with the smile still in place. "No, I'm behind as it is. But I promise to say hi next time, okay? You're doing really well Inuyasha, and I'll see you later!"

She turned to walk away, but he stopped her by touching her arm. She turned around, and for an instant he saw the raw, uncovered pain and sadness in her eyes. He also saw something else, something deep that touched his soul, something he knew was for him, though he dared not think of what it could be. This girl was starting to care for him, he suddenly realized with a shock, and he wasn't too far behind.

He drew back his hand suddenly as though it were touching hot coals, and turned around, afraid to look into those eyes again. "Yeah, I'll see you on Monday."

And without a second thought he wheeled away before some unseen force compelled him to look at her again. He could not, would not, go down that road. He refused to go there at this point in his life, and he was sure that if he blocked off that avenue of opportunity before it even had a chance to start, then he wouldn't have a problem. In theory.